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THIS Is How Long You Need to Stick With Your Skincare Routine

It’s said that patience is a virtue, and in the case of skincare, this saying has never been truer. As difficult as it may be to get into a strict beauty regimen, the truth is that keeping a consistent schedule is essential if you want to see actual results. As much as we may moan and groan over this sentiment—sometimes you just want to crash into bed and skip the moisturiser, you know?—we remember Beyoncé’s trainer says it takes 21 days to break a habit (meaning you’re ready to commit by day 22), so if Queen Bey lives by a habitual routine, we’re on board.

Dr. Jennifer MacGregor of Union Square Laser Dermatology in NYC told Women’s Health that in the case of rough skin texture and large pores, you’re going to need to wait about eight to 12 weeks before you start seeing results. Turns out this is because these particular skin issues need some serious “remodeling” by way of collagen restoration. We like Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimizer ($11) for an effective pore-shrinker.

If you’re looking to brighten up your skin and ease hyperpigmentation, this one takes even longer. MacGregor says that you’ll need at least two to three months to start seeing results but that it could take even longer without proper sun protection: “Skin-brightening regimens absolutely don’t work when people skip daily sun protection—this is one of the most common mistakes I see,” explains MacGregor. We recommend Invisible Zinc's Facial Moisturiser SPF30+ ($35) for a daily dose of SPF.

Lastly, we’ve learned that anti-ageing results can’t be achieved overnight like some of those “miracle” creams claim to do. Instead, MacGregor says it can be up to six weeks before you start seeing a visible difference, with even more noticable results arriving a few weeks after that. The upside to waiting? MacGregor says it pays off to sticking with an anti-ageing regimen: “Powerful ingredients prevent sun damage and continue to improve skin over the course of years.” If you’re looking to get a head start on anti-ageing, try Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream ($49).

Got any skincare tips you swear by? Share your tricks with us in the comments!